India introduced a cheap tablet computer Wednesday, saying it would
deliver modern technology to the countryside to help lift villagers out
of poverty.

The computer, called Aakash, or "sky" in Hindi, is the latest in a
series of "world's cheapest" innovations in India that include a 100,000
rupee ($2,040) compact Nano car, a 750 rupee ($15) water purifier and
$2,000 open-heart surgery.

Developer Datawind is selling the tablets to the government for about
$45 each, and subsidies will reduce that to $35 for students and
teachers. In comparison, the cheapest Apple iPad tablet costs $499,
while the recently announced Kindle Fire will sell for $199.